Cartagena's Inquisition: Fear, Faith, and the Holy Office

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy history of the Cartagena Inquisition, the only tribunal of its kind in South America. They trace its origins in the Spanish Inquisition, its establishment in 1610 in the walled city, and its role in policing not just heresy but also the diverse population of Cartagena de Indias — from Jewish converts (conversos) to African slaves accused of witchcraft. The conversation covers famous cases, including that of the Portuguese crypto-Jew Francisco Maldonado de Silva, who was burned at the stake in 1639, and the controversial figure of the Inquisitor General, Juan de Mañozca, who clashed with the bishop over jurisdiction. Lucas explains how the Inquisition's autos-da-fé became public spectacles, reinforcing social control in a city already fortified by walls. The episode also examines the Inquisition's decline in the 18th century and its eventual abolition in 1821, after Colombian independence. Through vivid details and a nuanced perspective, Lucas and Luna reveal how the Holy Office shaped religious life, fear, and resistance in colonial Cartagena.

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